I agree with you Edward. When I come across a rocket, I look to see if I can see anyone who might be looking for it. If I find none, then I take it back to the LCO table. If I see someone who might be searching for it, I try to get their attention and show them where the rocket is. If it is getting prairie rash, then I too pack the chute. Again, if I do not see anyone in pursuit, I take it back to the LCO table. If it is a high power bird and it is within walking distance of the LCO table, maybe a mile at max, I leave it alone, but further than that I start trying to pack it up and take it back to the range. Normally, I have tools on my keychain where I can turn off switches so I can turn off altimeters, if I think it is the right thing. It would help if we would put our names on the rockets. My bottom line is, what would I want other people to do if my rocket and I were in a similar situation. I also try to watch other rockets in their flights, and if they are not having a good recovery, coming down in a number of pieces, I track which ones I can, and recover those if possible, because I know the flyer has his hands and possibly his emotions full, and they are going to need the help. If they get mad at me in anyway, I blow it off as they have a problem and I am not going to make it mine. Treat them the way you want to be treated. Treat their rocket the way you want them to treat your rocket. Any problems with this?

This is an issue that has stumped me for years. The dilemma is that without communications, the guy who's rocket you've found may be out searching and spending hours looking for a rocket that has already made it back to the LCO table. It's happened to me... and finding out that you were wandering the prairie for hours when your bird was already back at the flight line could very well piss you off pretty well.

My solution is pack up the chute so it won't go wandering and note where the rocket is and head back to the flight line and let the owner or the LCO know. Even better if you have a GPS and can note where the bird is exactly. Of course it is nice if folks would put their name on their birds too.

No easy solution.

Agreed. No easy solution. I've had a number of my son's LPR birds returned to the LCO table when we had given up hope of finding them, so I'm thankful to those who do so. I've only found a few, usually within shouting range of the search party. My best find was one of Adrian's early Parrot test flights in a small LPR painted the color of the currently-in-full-bloom prairie, after he had given up!

GPS and 2-way radios help, personal identification on rockets helps, but overall, it's just communication needed. One idea I had was make up some cheap 6' tall poles with large fluorescent flags on them. Take a few with you when you're out searching. If you find someone else's rocket, mark it, pack the chute if it's being dragged, GPS log it if available, then move on to find yours.

Just my $0.02.
-Ken

I am not really happy with this suggestion, but, if you have a name and a cell phone number on the rocket, if you find it, you can call them. I know Verizon works out at the sight, texting almost always available, and T-mobile. If you find it, you can call them and tell them you are bringing it in or give them co-ordinates. If you have a short wave license, we could choose a frequency, carry our radios, and communicate with the LCO. Anyone who wants to monitor that frequency could listen in. I do not really like the SW radio method, even a greater hastle than the cell phone. Yet, if I am hiking around out there, I think I would want at least my cell, water, and sunshade, so I can get help and survive the wait, if needed. Anybody like the cell idea?

The further one goes from the launch site in search of their rocket, the larger the prairie gets. If I come across another bird while out looking for mine, I'll mark the spot one way or another to make re-finding it easy after preventing prairie rash from still happening or occurring, and then continue to seek out mine. After I give up on mine, I'll retrieve the other MIA if I haven't spotted anyone else out there looking for it. Lost and Found is much nicer than Lost and Left Behind. Names and numbers help in the eventual Return to Sender. Seems as if, any more these days, the larger projects are carrying GPS in some form or fashion not that they always work.

In the grand scheme of things, the praiire is huge compared to even big rockets and so anything found - debris or otherwise - needs to be recovered if possible.

Some of my easiest recoveries have been made by good kharma and the kindness of others. Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. 😉

I share your sentiments. I hate it when I lose mine also! Now where did I put it, and who am I writing to about what on which website. Oh yeah. So what did you think, Pat? 😆

I have had it both ways, benefiting from people finding rockets of mine that I otherwise would have lost, and having a frustrating multi-mile run-around,tracking my radio transmitter-equipped rocket back to the LCO table. On the whole, if someone brings the rocket back, the worst-case scenario of a long walk is still pretty good, because the you get the rocket back in the end. But maybe the best of both worlds is to note the GPS location, stuff the chute, and take the information back to the LCO table. But if you don't have a GPS with you, I'd rather that someone take my rocket back than risk having it lost twice.

I still have a couple of rockets and parts of rockets that have never made it home. I personally would rather it be brought back in expescially if it looks like its been there for a while. I would never turn off the electronics unless it is a safety issue and it needs to be dealt with. You do not know what electronics is being used and what you are turning off. If you loose someone's altitude reading by turning it if might make them a little mad.

It really depends on the time and if the launch it multiple days or not but I would rather bring it in and let people know that a rocket has been found then to leave it for someone to have to go back out and find. If you are looking for a rocket, let people know and give them a way to contact you if it is found. If you go out for hours with out checking in with someone you are crazy because there are so many people walking around out there that someone is bound to find it.

I always bring the rockets I find out there back with me. I look around but, man the prairie is big. I found 4 rockets at this MHM alone. One was Adrian's from last year another was a Blackhawk 24, pretty sure someone wanted that back. If you want to pissed at me for bringing them back, that is your prerogative. I'll just say sorry in advance.

I always bring the rockets I find out there back with me. I look around but, man the prairie is big. I found 4 rockets at this MHM alone. One was Adrian's from last year another was a Blackhawk 24, pretty sure someone wanted that back. If you want to pissed at me for bringing them back, that is your prerogative. I'll just say sorry in advance.

And thanks again for finding that. It was actually a scratch-built 29mm rocket that had set the Tripoli H altitude record last year, the day before it lawn darted in where you found it. I looked all over on the far side of the dry wash, but it came in on the near-side banks.

As recoveries go, this MHM was awesome. As far as I know at least five longtime MIA's were brought to closure and returned to owners and also a small parachute from a seperation the previous launch. I know Jeff Wilder, Adrian Adamson, Mike Huber and John Nelson and Garrett Shirley were thrilled to get remains of their birds back and Ken Reilly's parachute will fly again.

If I come across a rocket being dragged by the wind, I'll restuff the chute to stop the dragging and mark the location.

It's amazing the distance that rockets can be dragged.

Also, if it's a small rocket, I'll usually pick it up as long as I don't see anyone searching in the general vicinity.

Did the found blackhawk have yellow fins with stars? I lost one (actually a 29) a year ago on a 2 stage attempt to set the I recored and lost tracking with the apogee charge never to be seen again...

I think bringing it in is a good idea especially if its a ways off from the launch pad and a smaller bird. Perhaps the club could have a small logo that means this birds tracked please leave it where it is. If you have the logo on it means leave it where its at, if there is nothing on it then go ahead and bring it on it. Could be a small sticker always placed in the same location? Just a thought. -Sean

oops duplicate post 🙄